Approaches to molecular genetics and genomics of botrytis

Abstract

Molecular genetic techniques have revolutionized the detailed analysis of infection strategies and pathogenicity of Botrytis. Based on the availability of all necessary molecular tools, an impressive (and rapidly growing) number of genes has been functionally analysed by targeted inactivation approaches. The result of these studies, taken together with the new opportunities arising from "genomics" of B. cinerea, has developed into one of the model systems for molecular phytopathology. The methodologies and tools available for the cloning of genes and their functional analysis will be discussed and a compilation given of the deletion mutants obtained so far (dealt with in detail in other chapters). Current trends and perspectives of this rapidly developing field are discussed. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.